China condemns Iran strikes, urges Gulf to oppose foreign influence
USA TODAY
China's foreign minister held talks with Iran and Oman as the U.S.-Israel strikes lead to wider regional conflict.
China's government has condemned the joint U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran and urged Gulf States to work together to oppose foreign influence, as the Middle East erupts into a wider conflict.
In the country's initial comments Sunday, Mar. 1, after the killing of Iranian leader Ali Khamenei, China's foreign ministry called the attacks "a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security" and denounced them as an infringement on the "principles of the UN Charter and basic norms in international relations." Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said China was not informed in advance about the strikes.
More: Live updates: Iran conflict continues; 3 US fighter jets crash in Kuwait
The following day, on Monday, Mar. 2, China's foreign minister held calls with his counterparts in Oman and Iran, reiterating the country's opposition and calling for the resumption of talks to prevent further escalation.
The United States and Israel began striking Iran on Saturday, Feb. 28 ,in a campaign that killed the nation's supreme leader. President Donald Trump said the operation killed dozens of top officials and hit more than 1,000 targets inside the country. Iran and its allied militias, such as Hezbollah, have retaliated with strikes against Israel and U.S. military bases across the Middle East. Iran's targets have included several major Gulf cities of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha. Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told Al Jazeera the strikes are not targeting Iran's Gulf neighbors, but rather the U.S. assets in the region.
As the war enters its third week, Iran war injuries for U.S. troops have reached 200, according to U.S. Central Command.
President Donald Trump has said other countries should send ships to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. NATO and others seem hesitant about the Iran war.
President Donald Trump says Susie Wiles will recover well after a breast cancer diagnosis and calls her an \
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, has been diagnosed with breast cancer, President Donald Trump announced. Here's what to know about her.
One of the merch items is an NYC beanie that sports a hammer and sickle – the widespread symbol for communism – in place of the \
FCC chair Brendan Carr warns broadcasters they could lose licenses over Iran War coverage following Donald Trump’s claims of misleading reporting.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren and other Democratic lawmakers are asking Amazon to explain why it paid $40 million to acquire first lady Melania Trump's film.
Trump pushes countries to help secure the Strait of Hormuz amid rising Middle East tensions and stalled international commitments.
The U.S. Postal Service faces massive losses and may run out of money next year, prompting a congressional hearing and debate over its priorities.
Illinois voters go to polls on March 17.
